Various Lung Health Problems: Recognizing, Preventing, and Overcoming

Lung health plays an important role in maintaining respiratory function and oxygen balance in the human body. However, various lung health problems can disrupt their normal function, resulting in serious impacts on an individual's quality of life and life expectancy. It cannot be denied that several lung health problems are caused by air pollution where the microscopic pollutants produced enter the respiratory tract and blood circulation. In this article, we will provide knowledge about several common lung health problems, as well as relevant prevention and treatment efforts. Here's the information.

  1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    COPD is a condition that involves narrowing of the respiratory tract and damage to lung tissue. The main causes of COPD are smoking and exposure to toxic substances such as air pollution which causes narrowing of the airways and is chronic and irreversible. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and excess phlegm production. The best prevention for COPD is to stop smoking and avoid exposure to harmful substances and effective treatment involves lifestyle changes, drug therapy and respiratory rehabilitation.

  2. Asthma
    Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes swelling and narrowing of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and chest compressions. Asthma trigger factors include allergies, infections, or certain environmental exposures. Treatment and management of asthma includes the use of: bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as avoiding known triggers.

  3. Pneumonia
    Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Symptoms include fever, cough, production of thick colored phlegm, and difficulty breathing. Vaccination, maintaining good hand hygiene, and avoiding smoking are important preventive measures. In the treatment process, pneumonia involves antibiotics (for bacterial types) or symptomatic treatment (for viral types).

  4. Lung cancer
    Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Smoking is a major risk factor. Symptoms may not appear in the early stages, but can include cough with phlegm, chest pain, and weight loss. The best prevention is to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. In lung cancer, treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy based on the type of cancer and stage.

Lung health problems encompass a wide range of conditions that can affect an individual's quality of life and life expectancy. Prevention of lung disease can actually be done easily and starts with simple things such as changing a healthy lifestyle, avoiding triggers such as air pollution by reducing activities outside the home or limiting vehicle use to reduce pollution, and vaccination to reduce the risk caused by these diseases. lung disease. Together with EMC Hospital, our lung specialist doctors will provide the best health services with timely treatment and regular medical monitoring that can help overcome lung health problems, maximize respiratory function, and improve the patient's quality of life. If you experience symptoms of the disease above, please consult with us comfortably and safely so as to provide maximum treatment for your recovery.

Article written by dr. Hezza Bigitha, Sp.P (Lung & Respiratory Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).